You can say a lot of things about roofs, and most of them might be true. But one thing that nobody can argue with is that roofs are tops. This statement can be taken in several ways. A roof does for the top of your home. It can also act like a "top" or lid for your home, keeping the rain out. Then, there's the third meaning, which is the one we happen to like the most: roofs are the best. (People say things are "tops" when they really like them.) Since we like roofs so much, we've decided to write about them, and you've discovered the blog where we do that.
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Roofs: They're Definitely at the Top!
Roof Deterioration: Things That Can Cause It
Brian Riley
Unless you are someone who checks the condition of your roof on a weekly basis, you may not know just how much damage has occurred to your roof over the last season or year. While the roofing materials on your home are designed to protect your home from some of the worst weather conditions, there are certain things that can cause those materials to deteriorate from the outside in. Here are a few of them.
Rain, Snow, Ice
Moisture is by far one of the worst enemies of your roof, but it is almost always in the air. As moisture makes its way into your roof, it has the potential to damage the entire structure of your home. Moisture can result in the growth of mildew and mold, in addition to the development of rot. Moisture can also damage the insulation in your home's attic.
Rain is the largest culprit, but you also have to worry about snow melting since it has the potential to re-freeze and result in ice dams. Ice dams can keep water from properly draining, resulting in the water backing up beneath the roofing materials. Unfortunately, this can lead to roof leaks.
Wind
Depending on where you live, you may get a lot of wind throughout the year. Wind can be quite damaging to your roof. High winds will lift and pull up the shingles from your roof, which causes the underlayment to be left exposed to the elements. If this happens, you may start noticing roof leaks since there are not shingles there to protect against the water. The edges of the roof are where this is most likely to occur, but it can occur anywhere.
Sun
The rays from the sun are incredibly damaging, and the heat from the sun can result in the shingles breaking down over the years. In some instances, the sun can cause your shingles to fade and deteriorate so badly that they cannot protect your home any longer.
Lichen and Moss
Lichen is considered a slow-growing plant that looks crusty as it is growing on your roof. Moss appears softer, although it stills grows in places it is not wanted. If you notice that there is lichen or moss growing on your roof, then there is a chance that it can cause wood rot and/or structural damage to your roof and home.
Overgrown Trees
Even in the event that a tree limb does not fall directly on top of your roof, there is the risk of overhanging branches causing damage. In some cases, this damage could be second-hand, which could occur when the leaves that fall off the branches pile up on the roof, resulting in the moisture being trapped beneath them and creating the ideal condition for the growth of mold. The damage could also be first-hand, which could occur if a branch falls and punctures the shingles, creating a way for moisture to get into the structure of the home.
If you have noticed any of the aforementioned issues with your roof, or if you are having any other issues with your roof, contact a residential roofing contractor today.
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